Why Are Truck Accidents Caused by Mechanical Failure More Severe?
Truck accidents are often devastating because the injuries sustained can be life-changing and, in most cases, almost fatal. Trucks are massive, weighing up to 18,000 pounds, compared to an average of 3,000 to 4,000 pounds for a regular vehicle. The physical, emotional, and financial burden that follows a truck accident can take years to resolve.
South Carolina personal injury lawyers say it’s not just the size of an 18-wheeler that makes an accident severe. Other contributing factors include, but are not limited to:
- The force of impact: When a truck with so much weight is moving at highway speeds, the force of a resulting collision is significant, leaving little to no room for small cars to escape without severe damage. The result is often catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, spinal cord damage, and fractures.
- Hazardous materials: Some trucks transport dangerous cargo, such as flammable or toxic materials. If they spill during an accident, the consequences could include respiratory damage, fractures, burns, or environmental hazards.
- Height: Trucks sit quite a distance off the ground, putting smaller cars at a greater risk of sliding under them during accidents. Such accidents can have overwhelming physical and emotional consequences.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a truck accident, consult experienced Greenville truck accident attorneys for legal counsel. They can help you navigate the complexities of personal injury claims involving 18-wheelers.
What Are Common Mechanical Failures That Lead to Devastating Truck Accidents?
Mechanical failure, driver error, and poor road conditions are among the common causes of 18-wheeler accidents. The law requires trucking companies to keep their rigs in safe operating conditions, as poor maintenance can put drivers, cargo, and other road users at risk.
Truck accident lawyers in Greenville highlight the following common mechanical failures in 18-wheelers that can result in life-threatening accidents:
Brake Failures
Most truck accidents happen due to brake failure. Brakes are critical safety features on 18-wheelers or other big trucks. When they don’t work correctly, the consequences can be life-threatening. Big rigs need more time and distance to stop than passenger vehicles, which puts a lot of wear and tear on brake systems.
Truck drivers must get proper training to drive in a way that helps them avoid brake failure, especially when navigating steep or slippery terrain. Brake failure often happens due to:
- Poor maintenance
- Defective and worn-out brake pads and discs
- Leaking or inadequate amounts of brake fluid
- Malfunction of the anti-brake system (ABS)
- Improper or insufficient brake inspection
Greenville truck accident lawyers say proper maintenance, inspection, and repair can prevent brake failure. A driver, trucking company, or maintenance service provider can be found responsible for damages from an accident caused by brake failure.
Transmission Failure
Improperly loaded cargo can cause transmission failure in tractor-trailers. A loaded tractor-trailer should carry a maximum gross weight of 80,000 lbs. Transmission systems can fail when the weight limit is exceeded, and the driver can lose control, causing severe accidents. Truck owners must conduct regular inspections and maintenance of these systems.
Broken Lights
Broken or burned-out lights may seem trivial for regular passenger vehicles. However, they can have fatal consequences for trucks, which must stay visible to other cars. Properly functioning headlights, brake lights, tail lights, turn signals, and sidelights help truck drivers see the road more clearly and avoid crashing into other vehicles at night.
During the day, brake lights and turn signals must work properly to help other motorists anticipate a truck’s turns or quick stops.
Tire Blowouts or Defects
Truck tires should be inflated appropriately, treaded, and maintained. During routine tire checks, it’s essential to rotate them, measure the tire tread, replace aged tires, monitor pressure, and stay updated on the latest tire recalls.
Tire defects and blowouts often happen due to extreme weather changes, adverse weather conditions, road salt, and rough terrain. When tire treads start thinning out, they increase the risk of a driver losing control when driving under harsh conditions. Overinflated, underinflated, or punctured tires pose a greater risk of blowout, leading to deadly accidents.
Steering and Suspension Systems Failure
When a truck’s steering and suspension systems fail, it’s almost impossible for the driver to avoid losing control. Proper inspection, periodic lubrication, and adjustment of the drive and steering axles are critical maintenance procedures to help keep the systems in good working condition.
Improper loading, overweight cargo, and poor driving techniques can contribute to the system’s failure. A truck driver should check the truck’s parts to ensure proper functioning before and after a run. However, the respective parties should do maintenance, repair, and servicing.
Rear Guard Failure
Small vehicles sometimes crash into large trucks and run under the rear tailgate, causing under-ride accidents. These collisions often lead to catastrophic injuries, such as amputations and paralysis, to the occupants in the smaller vehicles. Trucking companies should install rear guards to keep small cars from sliding under the truck.
A Skilled Lawyer Explains How Mechanical Failure Can Lead to Devastating Accidents
Understanding how mechanical failure in 18-wheelers can lead to a truck accident is crucial when pursuing compensation. The cause of the failure can help truck accident attorneys in Greenville determine liability and establish who should compensate you for your injuries and other damages.
The Hammack Law Firm hosts dedicated personal injury attorneys in South Carolina. We can investigate your truck accident case to determine the type and cause of mechanical failure that caused the crash. Then, we can help you determine liability and pursue a fair settlement for your losses. Call us at 864-766-7108 to schedule a FREE consultation.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
